Course Description

Course Name

Host University

Florida State University-Valencia Study Center

Location

Valencia, Spain

Area of Study

European Studies, History, Multicultural Studies

Language Level

Taught In English

Course Level Recommendations

Lower

ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

Hours & Credits

Credits

3

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

0

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

0

Overview

Course Description:

This course provides a survey of Western traditions from the beginnings through the end of the Middle Ages. The Mediterranean Sea and the territories surrounding its shores has been a cultural crossroad for several millenniums. The movement of products, technologies and people but also ideas and beliefs have shaped a dynamic and malleable concept of Western culture and civilization. Valencia, on the westernmost side of the Mediterranean Sea, throughout more than two thousand years of history, has witness the arrival of Greek and Phoenicians traders, the transformations from a small Roman military colony into a Roman imperial capital. The conquest of the Christian Visigoth city by Islamic troops from northern Africa created a flourishing Al-Andalus town, Balensiya. Centuries later, the medieval Crown of Aragon conquered and settled the area, laying the foundation of the present day city. Material footprints, patterns of thinking and institutions of all these cultures and periods are traceable on Valencia?s urban and rural landscapes, a perfect setting for the course field trips: Roman ruins, Islamic origin irrigated fields, monasteries and castles.